Working in Minnesota on an out-of-state nursing license
Last verified against Minnesota Board of Nursing.
The five facts
- Compact status
- Bill pending
- Endorsement fee
- $105 (+$32 background check = $137 due at application)
- Temporary permit
- 60 days or until the license issues, whichever is first; cannot be extended, no extra fee, issue timing not stated by the board.
- Processing
- Not stated by the board. (not a board figure)
Check your own licence against Minnesota
You need a Minnesota license by endorsement. A temporary permit lets you start sooner.
- Application fee: $105 (+$32 background check = $137 due at application). Portal: Minnesota Board of Nursing online application.
- Temporary permit: 60 days or until the license issues, whichever is first; cannot be extended, no extra fee — issued not stated by the board.
- Permanent license: Not stated by the board. (not board-stated)
- Required at endorsement: CE or a refresher course may be required depending on time since last practice — determined by the Board.
- Currency rule: Board reviews practice history; a Confirmation of Nursing Employment form from the most recent employer is required.
- Earliest start
- When the temporary permit issues (timing not stated by the board)
- Fee
- $105 (+$32 background check = $137 due at application)
Apply through Minnesota Board of Nursing online application
- Requested by checkbox on the application.
Data as of September 2, 2026.
Nothing you enter here is stored. Trust keeps credentials on your phone, not on our servers.
If you hold a multistate license
A multistate license does not help you here. Minnesota is not a compact member, so practice in Minnesota — including telehealth to a patient located there — requires a Minnesota license by endorsement.
HF 1925 / SF 2608 have not advanced. Not a member.
Licensure by endorsement in Minnesota
- 01
Open a Minnesota Board of Nursing online application account
Create your Minnesota Board of Nursing online application account and start the RN licensure-by-endorsement application with the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
- 02
Request Nursys verification
Request license verification through Nursys for every state that applies to you. Minnesota accepts Nursys verification.
- 03
Complete fingerprints and the background check
Minnesota requires a fingerprint-based criminal background check: Fingerprint packet emailed the business day after applying; independent of any prior background check.
- 04
Clear the course requirements
CE or a refresher course may be required depending on time since last practice — determined by the Board
- 05
Pay the application fee
The endorsement fee is $105 (+$32 background check = $137 due at application). Confirm the amount on the board's fee page before you pay.
- 06
Request the temporary permit
Request the temporary permit: 60 days or until the license issues, whichever is first; cannot be extended, no extra fee, issue timing not stated by the board.
- 07
Wait for the permanent license
Not stated by the board. (not a board figure) Verify the license on the board's public lookup, then store the expiration in Trust.
Board reviews practice history; a Confirmation of Nursing Employment form from the most recent employer is required.
Minnesota requires a valid U.S. Social Security number on the endorsement application.
Minnesota is not a compact state. Every out-of-state nurse, including multistate license holders, needs Minnesota endorsement.
Verification from the state of original licensure and the current state if different.
What it costs, all in
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Endorsement application | $105 (+$32 background check = $137 due at application) |
| Criminal background check (paid to the Board) | $32 |
| Nursys verification | $30 |
How long it takes
Not stated by the board. (not a board figure)
The temporary permit is the difference between waiting and working: 60 days or until the license issues, whichever is first; cannot be extended, no extra fee, issue timing not stated by the board. Requested by checkbox on the application.
The Minnesota Board of Nursing publishes no processing commitment, so treat any timeline you read — including this one — as an estimate.
EMTs and paramedics
Minnesota — EMS Compact: Not a member.
Minnesota is not an EMS Compact member, so there is no privilege to practice. Apply for reciprocity through the Minnesota state EMS office; most states ask for current NREMT certification and a background check.
After you’re licensed
A new license starts a new renewal clock. The Minnesota RN renewal guide covers the cycle length, the CE the board counts, and the fee — read it once, then let Trust hold the date.
Questions people ask
Is Minnesota a compact state?
No. Minnesota is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. HF 1925 / SF 2608 have not advanced. Not a member.. You need a Minnesota license by endorsement.
Can I work in Minnesota with a multistate license from another state?
No. Minnesota does not honor multistate privileges, so you apply for a Minnesota license by endorsement before you work there.
How much does it cost to transfer an RN license to Minnesota?
The Minnesota Board of Nursing endorsement fee is $105 (+$32 background check = $137 due at application). Budget for the extras too: Criminal background check (paid to the Board) $32, Nursys verification $30.
Does Minnesota offer a temporary permit while my endorsement is pending?
Yes. 60 days or until the license issues, whichever is first; cannot be extended, no extra fee, issue timing not stated by the board. Requested by checkbox on the application.
How long does Minnesota RN endorsement take?
Not stated by the board. (not a board figure) Treat it as an estimate, not a board commitment.
Do I need fingerprints for a Minnesota nursing license?
Yes. Fingerprint packet emailed the business day after applying; independent of any prior background check
What courses does Minnesota require before it issues an endorsement license?
CE or a refresher course may be required depending on time since last practice — determined by the Board
Do I need recent nursing practice to endorse into Minnesota?
Board reviews practice history; a Confirmation of Nursing Employment form from the most recent employer is required.